Tui Tararo talks about her Grandfather Frank Tararo

The End of the War?, our new audiovisual show, is an emotionally moving experience.

Hearing New Zealanders talk about the effect of the First World War on their families through the generations can bring a tear to your eye. Many of the show’s participants had a journey of discovery in bringing to light the stories of their ancestors who served in the war effort.

Private Frank Tararao lost his arm in the First World War at the Somme, France. He was the only one of 500 enlisted soldiers from Rarotonga to return to his island.

But it wasn’t just soldiers who suffered. During the show, descendants of nurses, ambulance drivers, patriotic supporters and conscientious objectors share how the war affected their loved ones.

Tui Tararo, the granddaughter of Private Frank Tararo, from Rarotonga, says she hopes he would have been proud to see himself remembered. Frank was among 500 men who enlisted from Rarotonga, and the only one to return to his island from the war.

He enlisted in October 1915 and was sent with the 3rd Maori Contingent to Egypt, and then went on to the front line at Somme, France. Frank Tararo’s lower arm was shredded by shrapnel, and although he survived, his arm was amputated.

Read more about Tui’s perspective and Frank’s story below in the Cook Strait News or at Radio NZ’s website.